All Around India: Dalits

This morning, our Sunday School teacher took us to a farm in a rural part of India, far away from the big cities. There were men and women working on the farm. They were hot and sweaty, and they were very tired. One of the women was pregnant, and she seemed very sad. Her name was Lakshmi. We imagined we got to follow her home when her day was done.

When we got to her home, there a little girl there who was very sick. I wondered why Lakshmi hadn’t called a doctor. That’s when the teacher explained that there was only a tiny bit of money. Lakshmi couldn’t afford to buy food and pay a doctor, so she had chosen food so they wouldn’t starve. She was hoping her little girl would get better.

Suppertime came and the whole family shared a small pot of soup—except it didn’t look like any soup my mom makes. This soup was really watery and it didn’t look like it would taste very good. The next morning, Lakshmi wasn’t feeling well either. She was afraid not to go to work, but she could hardly stand up. She’d never be able to work in the field all day.

Later that day, the farmer who owned the field stopped by. I was excited because I thought he’d help. But do you know what? He was mad at her for not coming to work! He started saying all sorts of terrible things. He told the mother she was a worthless Dalit and he didn’t care what happened to her or her daughter. I know our teacher told us last week about how badly people treat the Dalits, but I never imagined it was this bad! How could the farmer not care that Lakshmi and her daughter were sick?

That’s when there was a noise outside. A van had stopped just outside the house. Some men and women got out. As they talked to the neighbors, everyone got very excited. They started running and bringing everyone to the van.

The van was full of doctors and nurses who had come to help the village! Lakshmi started to cry. She said she didn’t know why anyone would care about her and her family, but she wanted to find out. The doctors helped her and her little girl and told them that Jesus didn’t care about the names people call each other, like Dalit or worthless. Jesus loved them, and so did the doctors and nurses.

I wish the people who sent the van could see how happy it makes people like Lakshmi and her family. One of the doctors said it only costs $2.85 to help one person. I’m going to pray that many more doctors and nurses get to help people just like Lakshmi, and that Lakshmi and everyone they help will learn about Jesus.

“Dear God, please help every person in India and every person who feels worthless to find out that You love them and want to be their friend. Help them believe in You and understand that Jesus has already paid for their mistakes and wants to save them. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”